The end in sight.

[Dane]

Dane smiled slyly as Lucia shot out of bed and began to dress. He stepped out of her way over by the mirror and reached for a comb to brush his hair tousled from his run. Occasionally he patted his hair checking to see if his hair was in place and orderly. Few knew how difficult it became for one to make themselves appear presentable after one lost their reflection. Though going through the same motions year after year helped, and there of course were servants. They existed for a reason.

He placed the comb back down and glanced back at Lucia as she spoke. Was she truly concerned that he would not be by her side? After burdening the sun and fighting nearly to his death against Alena, both things he claimed to do on her behalf. The insecurities of teenage girls would never cease to amaze him. No, he would not abandon her. Not yet. Amused he smiled. "I made a promise, Lucia. I intend to keep to my word."

Brushing down his suit he turned to Lucia, and stretched a hand out lightly touching Lucia's arm. "Do not fret. You have my utmost faith, Lucia. This would not be happening if I did not believe you capable." He turned away from her, adjusting his tie. "Your mother is a non factor. She's been subdued, your pet did it. It seems you choose well." That fact was almost mind boggling when he considered it. How did a lycan not three decades old manage to defeat The Queen of Lycans? Even if she did not expect his betrayal it was an impressive feat. He would pry the boy's mind once he was also in their possession. He wished to know. "I will announce my resignation and then name you as my successor. Afterwards you should address the crowd, and if you find yourself with nerves, remember they are only rabble they should be of no concern to Lucia Drusa Severa; daughter of Raven Lestat. You were meant to rule them. It is in your blood." He checked his phone, and smirked. She was near.

He opened the door and led Lucia out. Staying in front of her as they made their way down the stairs. The main hall was filled to the brim with vampires, all dressed as lavishly as they had been during the ball. They crowded the floor of the room, and the stairs, only making space for Dane and Lucia to step by them. There was also space in front of the entrance. Enough for Lucia and Dane to stand safely away from the rays of light that would soon beam through the door.

[Pablo]

Pablo twisted on the wheel and hit the brakes. Sending his car skidding around the street corner. Apparently he was in a hurry, or rather his body was, as he still had no control. Useless, he watched knowing where they were heading, hoping that this was all still some twisted dream. It felt that way at least, his body acted on his own. Going through the motions, refusing to heed his thoughts. He tried to fight it, but in truth he didn't know where to start. Could think his way out of this? That's all he had at the moment his thoughts, and to him everything seemed hopeless. This wasn't a dream, he'd concluded against his wishes. He remembered all the moments leading up to his 'breakdown'. His rescue from the mansion, his get away with Xhel, the flight over to Sweden, his run through the forest, and then finally his ride with Alena. He hadn't slept between that time. He spent a while wishing that a cop would pull them over, but at this point that seemed likely. While he was driving awfully fast, he hadn't seen a single police car on the way. That was the vampire's doing it seemed obvious.

He swerved around another corner turning into a familiar street. Yes, Pablo knew very much where they were. He'd been here once before in his travels. The den in Oslo wasn't the largest, but it didn't need to be, not when the main den was a stone's throw away. He slammed on the brakes, the car coming to a screeching halt. The lycan kicked open the door, and hopped out. Quickly he made his way to the passenger side and threw open that door. He dragged Alena's seemingly unconscious body into his arms and glanced down at her. He felt nothing, not just physically, but also mentally. He knew this wasn't right, this was something he would never do, but he didn't hate himself for it. There was no shame or guilt, or fear of what was to come. Carrying Alena in both arms he stepped towards the den's entrance and hesitated. For a moment, he hoped his body was realizing this was a mistake, and he'd turn around and be on there way, but instead it was only figuring out how to open the door with Alena' in his arms. It settled on propping her up against his tiny frame, and flinging the door open with his free hand.

Pablo stood in the doorway, again carrying Alena in both arms he stepped forth. The only light came from behind him, otherwise the room was pitch black, and it took a moment for his eyes to adjust. The room was packed with fancy dressed vampires, Dane and Lucia standing in front of the pack. His head refused to look around, but he could tell he was surrounded by the bloodsuckers. Slowly he stepped forward, there was a slight murmur in the crowd as he stepped into their vision.

Pablo was covered in dry blood. From his face, to the trench coat he wore. There was a fresh wound on his neck from when Alena had bit him into a futile attempt to escape. It hadn't healed completely and was still raw. As bad as he may have looked Alena was far worse. Her body was covered in stab wounds, and it appeared as if she'd practically bathed in blood. A result of passing out slumped again Lucan's body.

His eyes were fixed on Dane, his face emotionless as he approached the vampire. He fell to a knee in front of Dane, and held up Alena in his arms, like she was an offering or gift being given to a King. Dane took her from his arms, and then it hit him, all of it. A wave of anguish and anger overcame Pablo and he collapsed onto the floor. He could feel his eyes swelling, tears forcing their way out, he quietly sobbed. His body ached, not just the neck in his wound, but all of it. He was sore and tired. The pain in his head returned, blaring in his mind. Forcing himself up, but still on his knees he glanced around the room. A thousand pair of dead eyes stared at him, no not at him, at Alena. I did this. He could feel his throat clench at the thought. They had Alena. Suddenly it was difficult to breath and he retched forward. Refusing to collapse he caught himself on the floor. I killed Rhenn, Lucan. Maybe more than just them. He stared at the floor beneath him, struggling to breath regularly.

[Dane]

Dane stood in front of the crowd ready to address them. Standing silently he awaited the perfect moment. His enhance hearing could pick up the sounds of Pablo's car drifting around street corners. This had to be perfect. As the lycan neared he began to speak. "My friends, I've gathered you here today to bear witness to the dawn of a new age. Today begins the reign of Lucia Drusa Severa." He turned to face Lucia. It was obvious he spoke of her, as she stood by his side and carried the sword Dane once carried. "I happily resign my claim of the throne to her, your rightful Queen by birth; the daughter of Raven Lestat." A quiet chatter began to spread among those gathered. Even years after his death Raven's name carried weight. He was the original vampire; a son of the devil. "It is her will that will see the coven reach new heights; an end to our with the lycans, an end to ruling from the dark. There will be no need to hide from the world, not when Queen Lucia will make its entirety ours." These were bold proclamations. They would most likely never see the light of day, but even the crowd grew more excited. Still, there were less than enthusiastic; wondering why they were awaken at such an hour for this announcement.

Dane pointed dramatically at the entrance. "In a matter of moments Alena Wulf will come through these doors." That created a tension in the room, like Raven's name Alena's carried weight. "She will be brought to us a captive, by her most trusted of allies; manipulated by my hand. This is my final gift to you," He gestured towards those gathered. "and a token of my faith and trust to Queen Lucia." He eyed Lucia as he spoke. At that moment the front door to the den was kicked open. Light beamed into the room, in unison the vampires shuffled away fearfully. A silhouette of a short and tiny framed man stood in the doorway, a feminine figure held in his arms. As their eyes settled, and the figure stood forward, the door closing behind him, the crowd gasp collectively. It was in fact Alena Wulf in the small lycan's arms. And she was in no way physically able to threaten them. Dane's eyes settled on Alena. She was his only focus, everything else in the room seemed to vanish, and for every step Pablo took towards him, the vampire could feel his destiny nearing.

Pablo dropping to a knee and the murmuring of the crowd brought Dane back to his senses. Alena was being presented to him, he had to remind himself that she was Lucia's gift. He grabbed the bloodied Alena and held her for a moment, staring. After a few seconds of silence he spoke. "Seize him." He proclaimed loudly. A few vampires slowly began to descend onto Pablo. Dane turned sharply and held her mother towards Lucia. He bowed his head. "My gift to you." He said awaiting orders.

[Alena Wulf]

Silver light from a full moon shown down, touching Annia's skin as it became covered in thick, black fur and her body grew. She was running; Szandor loped easily on in front of her, and beside him, four other Werewolves kept pace. This was her pack within the Pack. Running through the plains of Thessaly, the Lycans reveled in the light of their patron goddess smiling down on them. They hunted in honor of Luna and feasted together out of respect for the Pack.

The moon was still high in the sky when the Mother of Lycanthropy heard the call of some unseen suitor and changed her route, running away from her pack, distracted. Sprinting into the night, Annia found herself heading toward the northern mountains ranges, delving into thick forests that she didn't recognize. Something pulled her ever on, and she walked calmly through the trees until she came upon a camp of a local tribe. Padding quietly on all fours through the camp, the damp musk of the Undead lingered noticeably in the air. Her heart skipped a beat at the thought of another encounter with Him; but this was not Raven's scent. Inexplicable anger rose inside Annia as acknowledged the realization that some other lowly Vampyre, not Raven, was scavenging so close to her Pack's hunting grounds. This anger had visited her quite frequently since the King of Vampyres had forsaken her. Yet this time felt different. The full moon hung high in the night sky, making it that much harder to ignore the Beast's cry, and the Beast had a certain amount of insight and understanding to it that just wasn't clear in Human form.

The scent of Undeath became stronger the further into the camp Annia crept; she could just make out the muffled cries of someone in pain, someone losing their grip on life. Inside one of the tents, a woman lied on the brink of death, entangled in the arms of a dark figure. In the darkness of the tent, Annia could just make out the identity of the woman's attacker by his silhouette.

"Alessandro." The wolf growled the name, digger her claws into the Vampyre's shoulder and throwing him off the woman.

Startled, the Vampyre landed on his back foot, turning to see what had accosted him. Blood dripping down his chin, he laughed, "Alena. What a pleasant surprise seeing you." He stepped toward the Lycan slowly, his hands opening. "I was always quite fond of you, Alena, it pained me to hear that King Lestat had deemed-"

Annia closed the distance between the Vampyre and herself fast; much faster than he was expecting. Lunging at Alessandro, Annia swiped powerfully, catching him in the throat. Pulling him close, the She-Wolf bit into the Vampyre's shoulder, pulling away a chunk of dead flesh and muscle.

Alessandro cried out in horror as Annia pulled away, parts of his body dropping from her jaws, "You bitch!" He choked out.

Pouncing on top of the Vampyre, Annia knocked him down, tearing into his chest with her teeth. There was little Alessandro could do trapped under the weight of the Werewolf Queen. Vicious growls and pained cries sounded in the night as Annia devoured the Vampyre beneath her. In moments, the Vampyre lay still and quieted completely as his body began to decay.

The middle-aged man who'd been sleeping in the tent while his wife's blood was being drained, woke at the sounds of aggression not feet away from him. He shouted something and jumped at Annia's large, dark form. Though he tried, the Human's attacks were feeble and the Mother of Lycanthropy grabbed him easily, ripping him open with her teeth and claws. The man fell even quicker than the Vampyre, leaving Annia covered in blood, consumed by rage.

Looking up from her fallen prey, the woman who'd been Alessandro's dinner only moments ago lay still on the ground, grasping her swollen stomach, her breathing increasingly shallow. A chunk of the woman's neck had been ripped out when Annia pulled the Vampyre away. She seemed to be gasping helplessly for air; it was clear this woman was dying; there was nothing to be done about that. Yet Annia's concern was not for saving this woman; she was far more interested in how she tasted. Something strange stirred in her, something she'd not felt before, and without thinking on it, Annia jumped off the Human male, landing on top of the woman. It seemed the Human mouthed some cry of help that Alena ignored, sinking her pointed fangs into the woman's breast.

Less than an hour later, the camp had been torn asunder. No life remained within the camp, and Alena had chased down those that attempted to flee the area. The moon still shown brightly, high above the trees, but somehow Alena had shifted back to her Human form, walking aimlessly through the forests of Northern Thessaly. She was covered in Human blood that took on a glossy black sheen in the rays of moonlight that broke through the tree branches.

This night had been a first. Raven had broken her heart, starting this war between the two immortal races. She'd felt this unjustifiable rage before; listened to its tempting song and heard what it had to offer; but this was the first time she'd giving in to it. This was the first time she'd hunted innocents and killed without having to protect her Pack. This was the first time she'd succumbed to those dark desires. The exhilarating, scary part was: she'd enjoyed indulging in her rage.

Stepping carelessly through the forest, her bare feet cracking twigs and crunching leaves, Alena appeared to be guided by the wind.

My Queen! From somewhere behind her, the Wolf Mother could hear Szandor approaching. His message went straight to her mind without passing her ears; she stopped dead in her tracks.

"Felt so real felt so raw piece after piece one by one by one down it goes feel it squirm in my hands I can't feel my hands can't feel him anymore they've all left where I am alone--Can you hear that?" Alena looked up as Szandor neared, but her eyes were not focused on him; they looked beyond him to the tree tops. She started rambling again, slipping in to her mother tongue for certain phrases that Szandor could not identify

Young in years, and feeling the pull of the full moon, Szandor Colden stood tall, towering over his mistress in his bipedal Wolf form, a hulking grey mass. Scooping the lithe woman up in his furry arms, Alena slowly relaxed into her consort's embrace, her muttering calmed to a stop.
-------------
The speed at which Pablo took his last couple of turns was enough to jar the Lycan Queen into some semblance of consciousness. Momentum carried her body, pushing her hard into what was left of Lucan. During the 6 hour drive, much of his blood and brain matter had dried, leaving the Werewolf's body and clothes sticky. Alena's face rest firmly against her dead Packmate's chest, his blood flaking off her cheeks and forehead.

A faint smile graced the Queen's face; she seemed to recall that something funny had happened, but couldn't exactly remember what. Then she felt the arms around her, holding her firmly. Strong, but cold and unfamiliar.

Consciousness came and went in waves; something kept trying to pull her back to the darkness. Alena stirred slightly, testing to see how much freedom of movement she had. The pain that shot through her body from multiple places along her back was excruciating, and if the Lycan Mother hadn't been fully conscious before, she was now, for the briefest of moments. She gasped and her eyes opened wide for a second, the slight smile quickly replaced with a grin of anger as she realized what company she was with.

The room they were in smelled strongly of Lycan presence to Alena's keen senses, but seemed to have been sprayed with the scent of the Undead in an attempt to cover up and forget the previous homeowner's existence.

The first thing she saw in that moment of awareness was Dane; the self-proclaimed new King of Vampyres. He seemed to be the one holding her, but his attention was not fully on Alena. Slowly turning her head, the Werewolf Queen tried to see where the blood-sucker was looking. Beside him, stood her daughter, Lucia; and beyond them a score of Vampyres. Her fists clenched and Alena tensed; she felt so weak, though anger raged on powerfully inside her. The Vampyre King seemed to be holding her out to Lucia.

Memories of the encounter in London flashed in her mind: fighting Dane, Szandor dying, trying to gather Lucia but being forsaken by the girl. The visions seemed to slow down in her head. Alena didn't even realize when she slipped back into the darkness of her mind as her body slowly tried to heal from the wound Pablo's silver knife had dealt to her.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

The crowd stepped aside to allow Dane and Lucia passage to the front of the main room. As the sea of Vampires parted, Lucia kept her eyes forward, following behind Dane. It almost felt like her heart was beating; the masses gathered didn't feel like individual Vampires, but one large Being. Their faces all blurred together, but they seemed to grant Lucia a certain amount of respect, at least, for associating with their King.

Brushing away some strands of auburn hair, the Hybrid stood beside Dane, considering the group before them. This was her moment. Her time had finally come. She would ascend to her father's throne and unite the Vampires and Werewolves for all time. The power that would be at her fingertips excited her and her grip on Raven's blade tightened.

As Dane spoke, the quiet murmuring of the crowd died down, eager to listen to their King's words. Lucia stood tall, chest out, shoulders back, head held high. Though anxiety nipped at the back of her mind, Lucia displayed the confidence and arrogance that came so easily to her. She would have fully grinned as Dane spoke her name and bequeathed the title of Queen upon her, but she was very conscious about not wanted to appear weak in front of her people. Instead, she looked slowly around at those gathered, a firm look of resolution on her face.

As the front door swung open, and the Vampires recoiled instinctively away, Lucia's first reaction was to cringe. Yet she stood boldly as the light of day crept closer to her and Dane. The rays didn't even touch the pair, though they stretched close. Not looking directly outside, the girl's eyes remained affixed on the light cast upon the ground; this was her first glimpse of the sun, ever, and it was breath-taking. Or, it would have been, if the Hybrid needed to breathe. She stopped herself from taking a step forward to touch the light, when she noticed the large shadow on the floor; the shadow of a young man carrying someone else in his arms. She could tell who they were just by scent.

As the door closed, and Lucia's eyes focused, she recognized Pablo's face, and in his arms, her mother. At first glance, Alena Wulf appeared to be wearing something unfamiliar; however, the smell that filled the room at the two Werewolves' arrival suggested something entirely different. Immediately, Lucia realized her mother wasn't wearing anything. She was covered in blood, most of it hers. Any initial embarrassment at seeing her mother naked, again, was tossed aside by the sight of all those stab wounds. The girl could hear her mother's shallow breathing, but seeing her so disarmed and helpless was a bit alarming. Her face remained neutral, but seeing the blank expression on Pablo's face, too, was not exactly what the Hybrid was expecting.

She'd wanted this, hadn't she? She'd wanted her mother to arrive subdued; well how the Hell did she think that was going to happen? Peacefully? No.

While Dane took Alena up in his arms, Lucia kept her gaze on Pablo. She saw the spell break as the Lycan had fulfilled his duty and watched as his broke down. Something inside her chest started to ache inexplicably and for a second, the girl's brows furrowed. She wanted to help the man up, take him into her arms and explain that everything would be alright. Yet, as a few Vampires descended upon Pablo, and Dane held Alena out to her, she became increasingly aware of the soulless eyes looking to her.

Swallowing her concern and hardening her features, Lucia looked from her mother, to Dane, to the Vampires assembled in the front room at midday. The Hybrid reminded herself what Dane had said, these Leeches were rabble to her. She reminded herself of their cause, and opened her mouth, grasping at the first reasonable words she found, "Dane, you have been a most gracious King." Addressing the amassed Vampires, she continued, "I fully intend to follow by the example the former King, Dane, has set by ruling in my father's name; and he will remain in my close council." Gripping tight to her father's sword, the girl looked back to her mother, her eyes flitting quickly up to Dane, "I would have these Lycans detained securely until such a time when I can squeeze vital information concerning their race from their bones. I will then decide their fates. Rest assured: all that was promised shall come to be under my rule." Long live the Queen. Lucia thought, glancing around a last time. This was just a taste of the power she would soon wield, and although the price was steep, she liked the feel of it. "Take them away."

[Pablo]

The lycan tried to focus on his breathing, taking long and deep breaths. He had to do something, they had Alena, Dane had Alena. The thought was enough to send shivers down his spine. There was little doubt in his mind he'd kill her. Pablo glanced up at Alena's captor, his breathing slowly becoming more steady. Dane was speaking, though the words didn't quite register in the young man's head. He needed to do something, but the memory of the beating he received at Dane's hands flashed into the mind. What chance did he have? The Vampire King had fought Alena to a stand still, and murdered Szandor. That was failing to mention the hundreds of other vampires that filled the room. They'd kill him, and then what use would he be to Alena? It was enough to discourage him, he slumped back to the ground. Since when was he one to quit? He felt an aching in his chest. A group of vampires stepped towards him, a pair of cold hands grabbed him by the shoulders and forced him onto his feet. He didn't resist. I'm so sorry. He tried to reach out mentally to Alena. She deserved a fighting chance. The packmother had charged straight into Dane's mansion for him, Szandor was dead because of it. She rescued him and in return it cost Alena her own freedom. He would fight for her, like she did for him. His life belonged to her anyway, if he died here it would be an honorable death.

Then Lucia spoke. It was oddly comforting and initially quelled any urge to fight back. He listened to every word she spoke. Though the words themselves were far less comforting than the sound of her voice. Lucia was Queen now? This was all for her then, he gathered. Suddenly he felt betrayed. Lucia was always the enemy, but for some reason he had trusted her. In London she seemed to have cared for her mother, and was insistent he fight for her. Was it all lies? He stared at her, watery eyed. His body began to shake, he could feel a heat in his chest, he was seething. The beast within him scratched at him begging to be let loose. He was nearly ready to oblige. Self-control was rarely an issue for Pablo. He'd tamed the monster inside of him long ago, but now it roared within him. If there was a time and place to become a thoughtless killing machine it was now. His mind was already a mess. Maybe it would be better to not think at all. Take them away. Lucia's final words were enough to push him off the ledge. She would make him a prisoner again. To be used, both mentally and physically. He was nobody's plaything, nobody's dinner and he'd rather die than find himself trapped in his own body, a tool to be used against his friends and family. As the vampires nudged him forward he yanked away from them turning and spinning away, their grip was never strong. As if they were distracted or didn't expect him to fight back. He could feel more begin to close in on him, but it was too late.

He let his trench coat slip off his body onto the floor, and then he shed his skin. His lycan form seemed to burst from his human body; his transformation almost instantaneous. He let out a deafening roar as vampires swarmed him like ants on a carcass. Swiping left and right he hacked through vampire flesh; their blood spraying onto him. Creating just enough space for him to turn and lunge at Lucia. You knew! He lifted his massive paw above his head, ready to bring it crashing down on the hybrid. I trusted you, I vouched for you!

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Slowly, the Vampires seemed to move to complete Lucia's order. The Hybrid stood, watching, reflecting on what she'd said. Obviously, she hadn't meant the part about squeezing information from the Lycans' bones; she felt she had to say something like that to pacify the masses. She didn't want to have to hurt her mother or Pablo; by making the Vampires believe they still had some use, maybe she could help protect them for a little longer.

Lucia met Pablo's angry glare. The Vampires holding the male Lycan seemed to not take their charge seriously, as became evident when he pulled easily away from their grip. The man's thoughts entered her mind cold, sending a chill down the girl's spine. The edge Pablo's thoughts took on now was nothing like his warm parting words in London. The anger that came through, directed at her, was almost enough to make Lucia want to curl up and cry. His thoughts felt like a physical slap in the face. Instinctively, the Hybrid brought her left arm up to defend herself, forgetting that she was holding her father's silver sword in that hand. The bladed end of the sword came up to block Pablo's attack.

"I had to, Pablo!" Lucia's voice rose above the excitement of the Vampires around, who were either scrambling away, or trying to rush at the Werewolf in the room. "I did this for Us! We can end this!"

Bringing her right hand up, too, Lucia placed it o the flat of the blade, bracing it against Pablo's attack. The silver seared through the flesh of her palm. She shifted her stance, and prepared to launch an attack of her own against the large Lycan. I don't want to do this.

[Pablo]

Lucia's pleas fell on deaf ears. Pablo had surrendered control to the beast within him, there was little thinking to his actions. He only wanted carnage and Lucia was in his sights. Sparks shot out as his claws clashed against Lucia's blade. He landed on all fours unharmed, snarling as Lucia reached into his mind. Instinctively he blocked her out, her presence within his head only stirred the beast's anger further. Immediately the lycan lunged at her again, paying no heed to her stance or the hundreds of vampires in the room swarming towards him. His tunnel vision proved to be foolish as something or rather someone crashed against his side. It threw the lycan off his stride, sending him tumbling onto the floor and against the wall.

His chest flared with pain, a single thought ran through his mind. Dane! It was no ordinary vampire strong enough to launch him across the room. But as he quickly stumbled onto his feet and glanced at Lucia, he could see it was not the former vampire king. No, Dane would have probably sent him flying through the wall into the room over. It was some other vampire standing in his place. One Pablo had never seen before. The fair haired vampire nodded towards Lucia. Pablo had little time to react as the swarm of vampires surged against him. Surrounded, back to the wall he roared at the incoming mass. They pummeled against his body, hundreds of tiny fist pounding him at once. Others jumped over the crowd, lunging at him. Reaching out to grab him. He snapped at one in mid air, catching it between his teeth and crushing its spine. He swung his claws aimlessly, desperately trying to create space, but for every one he fell another two seemed to take its place. The mass seemed to swell in size as the vampires began to pile on top of each other and against him. Frenzied the lycan continued to fight on. Snapping at whatever he could get his teeth on. His movements were restricted, Pablo could feel dozens of them trying to pin his legs and arms up against the wall. The sheer number of them proved to be effective. From across the room he saw something move at a blazing speed. The vampire from before, he jumped over the crowd, shoulder lowered shooting into the lycan's chest. The wall behind him cracked as Pablo was slammed across it. He buckled, falling onto a knee. The mass of vampires began to swarm on top of him.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

It became clear that Pablo had set his mind to his attack; there was little the Hybrid could do to stop him in such a state. Twirling the sword deftly in her left hand as the Werewolf reared back to attack again, Lucia prepared her counter, planning to use her speed to slip inside Pablo's reach to deliver a quick stab between his ribs. As the Lycan lunged once more and Lucia prepared to sidle in close, the girl stopped herself short just in time as she heard soft footsteps rapidly approaching.

Marcus came charging in, dropping his shoulder low to hit the Werewolf hard across the room. Stepping back to give her father's councilman space from her blade, Lucia exchanged a look with the Vampire she'd known since childhood.

Clenching her open hand to get feeling back into it, Lucia watched as the Vampires ran at Pablo, surrounding and slowly beating him down. The Lycan was no match for the sheer numbers of Bats against him. They swarmed around the Werewolf like locusts, and the Hybrid wondered if there would be anything left of Pablo after they all parted.

This was, to say the least, not how she'd wanted things to go. Yet maybe she could still save this; maybe she could still save Pablo.

As Marcus joined the fight once more, Lucia walked over to where the Lycan was being held. Some of the Vampires, at the girl's approach, moved aside, leaving just enough blood-suckers to hold back the fallen Pablo.

Placing her right hand on Marcus' shoulder, the girl-Queen frowned. Maybe if she could get the Werewolf to go back to his Human form, he would listen when she told him to save himself... Unfortunately for Lucia, the options for getting a frenzied beast to calm back down were not ideal.

With Pablo on one knee, being held back by over a dozen Vampires, the Hybrid approached. Lucia held Raven's silver sword above her head, pointing down at the Werewolf. Pushing the blade into the soft flesh of Pablo's collarbone, Lucia drove the sword down slowly, stopping after five inches had penetrated the Lycan. "Shift down," she commanded, her voice displaying more authority than she expected. Lucia hoped Pablo would listen. If he didn't, she'd be forced to insert the blade even further, and if the silver touched his heart, he would likely die.

What Lucia was about to say felt wrong. She didn't relish the words coming out from her mouth, and hoped they weren't necessarily true, but feared the worst. "Release him. We shall let this one go. He is as good as dead, anyway. This Lycan has betrayed his people; his own Queen. If the first Werewolves he crosses do not kill him outright, then he will live long enough to proclaim that the War is Ours."

The Vampires restraining Pablo held tight to the Wolf Man to see if he would shift back to his Human form. Lucia looked upon the Lycan she'd hoped to call 'friend', both hands gripped firmly to the handle of her blade; waiting and ready for anything.

[Pablo]

The lycan barred his teeth at Lucia as she approached him. He threw his weight forward, trying to snap at her but the vampires restraining Pablo held him firmly back leaving him to bite only at thin air. Resisting was futile, but to the beast that made no difference. He shook violently to no avail, his arms were held tightly to his sides, his head locked still through the efforts of a half dozen vampires. Caught on one he knee, his free leg couldn't generate the strength to jump free.

His eyes followed Lucia and the sword she held up above her head. Silver. Even in his frenzied state the lycan was able to recognize his mortal weakness. It tried again to snap at Lucia, but she stood just of out reach. His collarbone felt like it was set aflame as Lucia drove the silver blade down into it. He howled loudly, wrought with pain, it was enough to snap the lycan back into his senses. Immediately he stopped resisting, shaking would only drive the blade further down into him. Pablo glared away from Lucia, refusing to look at her. Still hundred of vampires surrounded him, most standing behind Lucia watching patiently at what their Queen would do. He was defeated, no matter his efforts it was not nearly enough continuing to fight would only end with his death. Lucia already held his life in her hands, once again. He couldn't help Alena if he were dead. Not as if he had tried very to anyway. Caught in a frenzy he'd charged Lucia instead of thinking to aid the pack mother. He felt further guilt as if his past betrayal wasn't enough. There was a more pressing concern though, the matter of the silver blade searing into his chest.

Initially he ignored Lucia's command to shift though he did not know what that would accomplish. If he shifted no they'd throw him into a cell, and at a moment death seemed to have more appeal than being caged again. Forcefully he reminded himself he was no use to Alena dead. He owed her his life, he owed her freedom. Lucia's words held more truth than she realized. His life was over, she and Dane had shattered it. Save for his closest friends any lycan would attack him on sight. Word of his betrayal had by now reached the Den, and unless he returned with Alena there was nothing that'd make them accept him. Even then that was an uncertainty as he'd spilled pack-blood. Who would believe that'd he been forced to? That they'd done something to him.

Would she really let him go? Any trust between them was dead, but there was no alternative. Lucia's sword would kill him if she didn't withdraw and she seemed to have no intention to. His gaze returned to Lucia. Looking at her made him ache with pain. Though it was foolish he'd truly trusted her; despite everything, the threats to his friends, caging him, feeding off him. He truly believed there was something genuine between them. Regretfully he shifted back to his human form, the massive hulking beast shrunk into his tiny human frame his thick fur coat dissipating.

He yanked his arms away from the vampires, immediately reaching for the wound by his neck. Pablo stumbled to his feet, expecting Lucia to order him thrown into a cell, but she gave no such command, and nobody reached for him. His wound still seared with pain, but far less now that the silver was removed from him. Instead now his entire body; blotched with bruises and blood(some of it his own, most of it not), seemed to ache, making every step difficult. He could still feel their eyes on him, something about their cold stares made him self-conscious of the fact he was nude. That was not the norm, he'd spent much of his lycan life bare naked, but now he wanted nothing more than to be clothed. He limped towards his trench coat, kneeling to pick it up and slip on. The blood from his wound seeped through the leather, he would need to address that quickly.

The young man never turned to face Lucia or the vampires as he limped into the sunlight out of the den. If Lucia thought letting him go would amend things between them she was wrong. He would make them pay, all of them. Though as he stood there, the realization that he had nowhere to go hit him hard. He no longer had a home. He thought his nightmare had ended when Alena had rescued him from London, but it was only just beginning. Shifting back to his lycan form he shred through his trenchcoat as he grew. He clawed at the car door, tearing it off its hinges. Lucan was in there, he deserved a proper burial. Pablo grabbed what remained of the elder lycan and flung him over his shoulder and held him tightly. Without looking back he jumped, soaring away from the warehouse.